Fire Division Commander Walt Mauldin presented 9-year-old Zachary Marsten-Stitch with the Junior Firefighter of 2001 award. Zachary helped a neighbor in Shorewood Heights get out of her apartment after he heard her smoke detector going off.

YFS Director Mary Kay Morgan introduced two students David Sanford and Ashley Frizzell who helped coordinate the first MIFYS Youth Summit, a partnership of MIYFS, Mercer Island High School and Mercer Island PTSA. Both students spoke to the Council regarding the youth-generated, youth-led summit where they created an environment for 80 students of different social groups to come together and discuss issues surrounding respect and appreciation at Mercer Island High School.

Councilmember Judy Clibborn was acknowledged and recognized for her long career with the City of Mercer Island. Councilmember Clibborn has served on the City Council since 1990 and was also Mayor from 1994 to 1997. Mayor Merkle read and presented Councilmember Clibborn with a resolution of appreciation for her years of service to the community.

Appearances
John Holmes, 2213 81st Ave SE, expressed his concern that there is no alternative for residents of the north end neighborhood that have friends visiting during the day. He requested to know where visitors can legally park.

Minutes
It was moved by Councilmember Clibborn; seconded by Councilmember Jahncke to:

Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of November 19, 2001 as amended:
Page 2, Item (7), AB 3627, “It was moved by Councilmember Goldmanis to:
Not fund the $14,000+ for the Chamber of Commerce for the balance of the six months. Motion dies for failure of a second.”

Page 2, Item (7), AB 3627, “It was moved by Councilmember Blake; seconded by Councilmember Grausz to: Appropriate $12,000 from Beautification Funds to support the creation of a Chamber of Commerce-initiated Central Business District Parking Management Program consistent with the terms and conditions listed in AB 3627. The Chair put the question on the motion; Motion passed 4-2 (Councilmembers Goldmanis and JahnckeGrausz dissenting).”

The Chair put the question on the motion; Motion Passed 7-0.

Consent
Calendar

Payables:

$ 439,627.36

Payrolls:

$ 447,101.43

AB 3629 2001 Water System Plan: Acceptance of the Plan.

It was moved by Councilmember Jahncke; seconded by Councilmember Clibborn to:

Approve the Consent Calendar and the recommendations contained therein.

The Chair put the question on the motion; Motion Passed 7-0.

Regular
Business No AB City Manger Annual Performance Review
Mayor Merkle and the Council commended City Manager Rich Conrad on his work, by giving him an “Outstanding” on his annual review.

It was moved by Councilmember Cairns; seconded by Councilmember Goldmanis to:

Approve $114,500 retroactive pay to May 1, 2001 and a new salary of $118,500 effective January 1, 2002 for City Manager Rich Conrad.

The Chair put the question on the motion; Motion Passed 7-0

AB 3628 Mercerdale Skate Park Update
Parks & Recreation Director Pete Mayer presented three alternatives for the Mercerdale skate park expansion. Staff recommended the approval of Alternate 1, which significantly improves the function of the existing skate park, provides a modest and varied degree of new and challenging skate elements, embraces safety and will attract a wide variety of users.

Appearances:

David Raptu wanted to know how long construction would take (2-3 months).

Andrew Haas, 2406 W. Lake Sammamish Pkwy E, Bellevue, lives off-island but prefers and uses MI skate park over the other larger parks in the area. The new plan is not as showy as the other new parks, but it is better.

Colin, 7611 SE 34th Street, concerned that the paths are not necessary.

Nick Wotipka, 8414 SE 53rd Place, stated that it is difficult to skate with scooters using the park too.

Doug Hanson, 5850 WMW, is the father of an in-line skater and encourages the Council the approve this plan.

David Desantes agrees that scooters get in the way.

Jake Wotipka, 8414 SE 53rd Place, stated that people sitting on the structures also get in the way of skating.

It was moved by Councilmember Jahncke; seconded by Councilmember Clibborn to:

Authorize staff to complete repair of the existing Mercerdale skate park facility and design and construct a skate park expansion, Alternative 1, using Capital Reserve Funds reallocated from the Pioneer Park project in the amount of $121,000, deleting the path, drinking fountain, and bench.

The Chair put the question on the motion; Motion Passed 6-1 (Councilmember Goldmanis dissenting).
AB 3624 Mid Biennial Financial Review: Property Tax; Utility Rates
Mayor Merkle recapped the information presented at the November 19, 2001 meeting. He also asked that the Council use either 0% or 1% for increases. Council received a presentation by Finance Director Joanne Sylvis.

It was moved by Councilmember Jahncke; seconded by Councilmember Goldmanis to:

Ira Appelman, Mercer Island Community Council, 6213 83rd Place SE, reminded the Council that all of the property issues have passed statewide, but have passed not on the Island. Islanders have not been interested in zero tax increases, but when is comes to limiting that to something very small or nothing its lost on the island. He asked the City Council to abandon by resolution or other legal means the current taxpayer liability banked in the last several years and that the Council not bank taxpayer liability again. Believes the City Council should seriously consider remodeling the Community Center from the Capital Reserve Fund without a bond issue.

The Public Hearing was closed.

After Council discussion the following motions were made:

It was moved by Councilmember Cairns; seconded by Councilmember Blake to:

It was moved by Councilmember Jahncke; seconded by Councilmember Goldmanis to:

Authorize staff to transfer $81,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund to the Storm Water Utility.

The Chair put the question on the motion; Motion Passed 7-0.
AB 3630 Yakima Jail Contract & CC Briefing on Jail Negotiations
It was moved by Councilmember Goldmanis; seconded by Councilmember Jahncke to:

Direct the City Manager to enter in to the Yakima Jail Contract and Renton Jail Contract. Authorize the City Manager to enter into an Addendum to the Yakima Jail Contract, in form approved by the City Attorney, providing for medical services so long as the cost is less that the King County Jail Contract.

The Chair put the question on the motion; Motion Passed 7-0.
Open
Council Discussion
(See Councilmember Reports)

Other
Business Councilmember Absences: None

Planning Schedule: Next Meeting January 7, 2002

Board Appointments: None

Councilmember Reports:
Mayor Merkle introduced Pat Brahmen who was hired as the new director of the Chamber of Commerce.
Mayor Merkle reminded Council and community of the I-90 changes meeting.
Councilmember Jahncke expressed his concern with what the Council will do with the results of Luther Burbank Park poll question on the web site.

[Important Note: The proceedings of the City Council meeting
were recorded on tape and are filed in the City Clerk's Office. The complete
agenda and official minutes
of this meeting are also filed in the City Clerk's office.]